Latest Update:
A STATEMENT FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM REGARDING al AHLI ARAB HOSPITAL, GAZA
12th July 2024
Thanks be to God, the Diocese of Jerusalem is able to announce that on Thursday 11th July, owing to the dedication and courage of our staff, it was possible to re-open Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.
Despite intense military activity in the areas surrounding the hospital, some staff were able to return. Most patients and others in need of medical attention have not yet been able to make the same hazardous journey. Our remarkable staff were able to perform eight surgeries in the day.
The hospital ambulance which was hit by a sniper on Monday is severely damaged, but we report with great relief that the driver has returned to the hospital safe and unharmed and there were no patients in the ambulance at the time of the attack on the vehicle.
The Diocese of Jerusalem is committed to the continued ministry of healing and reconciliation. This is fulfilled beyond all expectation by the outstanding service and courage of the people of the Diocese.
The Ahli Arab Hospital is and will remain a beacon of hope in Gaza and beyond. We thank all our partners around the world and all people of goodwill for their prayers and support in these challenging days.
It was reported yesterday (9th July 2024) by the Director of the Ahli Anglican Hospital that following the designation of the area of the hospital as a red area, all staff and patients have had to leave the hospital. It is also reported that an ambulance was fired on as it made its way to the hospital.
Archbishop Hosam has issued a statement (full statement downloadable below)
"We protest the closure of our hospital in the strongest possible terms. In a time of warfare and great suffering it is essential that emergency healthcare services are maintained to treat the injured and the dying. We appeal to the Israeli forces to permit us to continue our sacred ministry of medical care and healing. We plead for an end to the targeting of civilians and all vulnerable people and demand all parties agree to an immediate ceasefire.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury has added his voice to the protest.
“Hospitals must be protected under international humanitarian law. I stand with my brother Archbishop Hosam Naoum in protesting the closure and evacuation of the Anglican-run Al Ahli hospital in Gaza in the strongest possible terms. And I condemn the attack on an ambulance en route to the hospital. In the face of intense Israeli bombardment, this closure puts injured and sick people in even greater danger. I join Archbishop Hosam’s appeal to the Israel Defence Forces to allow the hospital to continue its sacred and courageous work of caring for people in desperate need. To relieve the immense suffering in the Holy Land, I continue to pray and call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and for unfettered aid for the people of Gaza.”
The Rev’d Dr Yazid Said, the JMECA link director for the Diocese of Jerusalem has said that this incident is not isolated and is just one more example of the horrific suffering experienced by those affected by this war. He added that the people of Gaza feel abandoned and betrayed by the lack of serious action for a ceasefire.
The Israeli Defence Forces have challenged the account given by the Director. They have issued a statement in which they say that the IDF called on civilians in specific areas of Gaza City to move out, to minimise the risk to them, but that it had told Palestinian health officials and the international community that there was no need to evacuate hospitals in the area. This has been met with scepticism by a spokesperson for the Diocese of Jerusalem.
